SEPTEMBER 16 • 2021 | 27

faces&places

About 900 Metro Detroit chil-
dren in need, identified by 21 
local human service agencies 
and schools, received new 
winter jackets, gloves/mittens, 
hats, socks, masks, pants/ 
leggings, books, sweatshirts, 
underwear, toothbrush/tooth-
paste, bookmarks and greet-
ing cards at the slightly modi-
fied Back 2 School Store. The 
Aug. 12 drive-through event 
arranged by the National 
Council of Jewish Women, 
Michigan (NCJW|MI) and 
manned by its volunteers.
The nonprofit organiza-
tion, which works to improve 
the lives of local families, is 
known for organizing the 
Back 2 School Store event 
annually in August, where 
pre-identified Detroit chil-
dren in need are provided 
their own personal shopper 
to choose their supplies. This 
year, the program had to 
be modified because of the 

pandemic, with clothing dis-
tributed to 900 children via 
agencies.
“With the pandemic going 
into its second year, we must 
be creative, adjust and mod-
ify, but not stop our work in 
the community,” explained 
Amy Cutler, president of 
NCJW|MI. “Our volunteers 
started shopping for clothes 
and supplies in January of 
2021, and the agencies we 
contacted were overwhelm-
ingly appreciative.” 

NCJW|MI volunteers Susan Friedman, Debbie Barnett, Margo Stocker, 
Community Outreach Team agency representative Inez DeJesus, 
NCJW|MI volunteer Ruth Zerin, Community Outreach Team agency 
representative Christina Morales and her two daughters.

Corpus Christi Parish agency representative Curtis Simpson Jr. and his 
daughter flank NCJW|MI volunteer Susan Friedman and Ruth Zerin.

NCJW|MI volunteers Karen Disner, Ruth Zerin and Margo Stocker.

NCJW|MI volunteers Lauren Koenigsberg, Susan Friedman, Detroit 
Parent Network agency representative Toyja Bridges, NCJW|MI
volunteer Karen Disner.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NCJW

NCJW Helps Outfi
 t 
Kids for Back to 
School
School clothes and 
supplies packaged and 
sorted by NCJW|MI 
volunteers prior to the 
event.

